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Sunday, April 17 2016

CREATOR PULLS THE UPSET IN THE ARKANSAS DERBY

HOT SPRINGS, AR (Saturday, April 16, 2016) – WinStar Farm’s Creator powered home from dead last in the field of 12 to pull off an upset in the 80th edition of the $1 million (G1) Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn in front of 65,000 people on-track Saturday, and in the process the colt created a guaranteed spot for himself in the Kentucky Derby.

The 3-year-old gray or roan son of Tapit had earned just 10 qualifying Kentucky Derby points by virtue of his third place finish last out in the $900,000 (G2) Rebel Stakes here March 19, but he now has a total of 110 marks courtesy of the 100 points awarded for finishing first in the Arkansas Derby.

Friday, April 15 2016

CUPID LEADS 12-HORSE ARKANSAS DERBY FIELD

Hot Springs, Ark. (Friday, April 15, 2016) – Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert bids for his third victory in the $1 million Arkansas Derby (G1) when he sends out 2-1 program favorite Cupid in the 1 1/8-mile race Saturday at Oaklawn.

The Arkansas Derby, the country’s final major prep for the May 7 Kentucky Derby, headline Oaklawn’s 12-race closing-day program. Probable post time for the Arkansas Derby, the 11th race, is 6:18 p.m. (Central). First post is 12:35 p.m.

Wednesday, April 13 2016

Additional Arkansas Derby and Oaklawn Handicap Updates

AMERICAN PIONEER

Lightly raced American Pioneer drew post 5 for his scheduled stakes debut in the $1 million Arkansas Derby (G1) Saturday at Oaklawn.
American Pioneer, an 8-1 shot in the program, was an eye-catching maiden winner in his last start, March 19 at Oaklawn. It was just his second race overall.
“We’re doing good, we’re happy,” trainer Wayne Catalano said. “He went two miles this morning. He went the last mile in a two-minute clip. I’m happy with the way he’s been doing.”
Rafael Bejarano is scheduled to ride American Pioneer in the Arkansas Derby.
American Pioneer, a son of Awesome Again, races for Gary and Mary West, who won the 1993 Arkansas Derby with 108-1 shot Rockamundo.
Catalano saddled Crypto Star to win the 1997 Arkansas Derby.

Oaklawn Barn Notes: April 13

Cupid Arrives for Arkansas Derby, Installed as 2-1 Favorite

Accompanied by the rest of the contingent of California horses jetting in to contest Oaklawn Park's Racing Festival of the South, Cupid settled in nicely on Wednesday afternoon as he readies for the biggest test of his young career.

The 2-1 morning line favorite in the field of 12 for the 80th running of the $1 million (G1) Arkansas Derby on Saturday has already proven an affinity for Oaklawn's racing strip. Cupid, who is owned by the international racing and breeding conglomerate Coolmore and trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, was an impressive winner of the $900,000 (G2) Rebel Stakes here last time out.

Saturday, March 19 2016

CUPID BRINGS HOME SIXTH REBEL VICTORY FOR BAFFERT

Hot Springs, Ark. (Saturday, March 19, 2016) – One year after winning the Rebel Stakes with eventual Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert finally returned with the right horse after two unsuccessful trips earlier this season and won the $900,000 race with Coolmore’s Cupid. Overall, it was Baffert’s sixth victory in the race since 2010. His other winners were champion Lookin at Lucky, Secret Circle, The Factor and Hoppertunity.

More Rebel Stakes Quotes - Baffert included

Winning Bob Baffert, trainer Cupid - "You never know what they're going to do when they ship, and when there are 14 horses (in the field). He missed the break a little bit, and I had told Martin (Garcia) that the last time we went there we got destroyed leaving the gate. Once he got the lead down the backside, he was going pretty fast. He showed he's improving and he's a fast horse. Down the backside, he looked like he was really doing it easier than the time said. Turning for home, I don't know what it was, but he looked a little green there and lost a little momentum. He was on the rail tight and was probably looking around. He was maybe too close to the rail, and I've seen horses do that. He's a lightly raced horse.

"I am so happy that he ran so well, especially for Martin. He works so hard getting these horses ready and he got the win. I'm happy for the Coolmore (owners) gang, too. I knew going in he was a nice horse. But he never had been tested and that was a pretty strong bunch. That was like the Tapit Rebel.

$900,000 Rebel Stakes (G2) Quotes

Winning jockey Martin Garica, Cupid - “It’s hard for horses to break their maiden and then step up to this kind of company with this many people around and win, but he did. He’s still green. When we hit the top of the stretch, he got lonely and he locked in on the other horse that was coming up on the outside he responded one more time. He showed a lot of ability and we know he can run. He really proved today that he is improving. The distance doesn’t matter, he can go as far as he wants.”

Saturday, April 11 2015

$1 million Arkansas Derby (G1) Quotes

Bob Baffert, 1st, American Pharoah: "He's amazing horse. With the way he works, he's always been a professional horse from the start. We were hoping he could do something like that and he showed it today. We're so excited about him."

In rating off the pace today instead of setting it: "He's matured substantially. We just worried about getting a clean break and he did, and then Victor rode him with a lot of confidence. When that other horse (Bridget's Big Luvy) got off to that lead, it was either that he's going to rate or he's going to be empty today. He's a good horse and he keeps moving forward. I don't want to get ahead of myself. but Dortmund is another one who we don't yet know how good he is. We're got a one-two punch and that's a good position to be in."

$1 million Arkansas Derby (G1) Quotes

Bob Baffert, 1st, American Pharoah: "He's amazing horse. With the way he works, he's always been a professional horse from the start. We were hoping he could do something like that and he showed it today. We're so excited about him."

In rating off the pace today instead of setting it: "He's matured substantially. We just worried about getting a clean break and he did, and then Victor rode him with a lot of confidence. When that other horse (Bridget's Big Luvy) got off to that lead, it was either that he's going to rate or he's going to be empty today. He's a good horse and he keeps moving forward. I don't want to get ahead of myself. but Dortmund is another one who we don't yet know how good he is. We're got a one-two punch and that's a good position to be in."

Friday, April 10 2015

$600,000 Apple Blossom (G1) Quotes

Steve Asmussen, trainer Untapable, 1st – “I was awfully concerned with how sharp she's been, the works that she's put in," Asmussen said. "I thought Johnny did a great job with her into the first turn. Once they lined out down the backside, I thought she was really in a commanding position and ran extremely well from there. I can't say enough how proud I am ... a Winchell homebred. So much of the family are Winchell family horses.”

Oaklawn Barn Notes - Friday, April 10

Race Favorites Enjoying Much Improved Weather

Thursday’s heavy rain storms and humidity blew out of Hot Springs overnight and the resulting much cooler and crisper morning air perked up the $1 million Arkansas Derby (G1) and $600,000 Oaklawn Handicap (G2) contenders and had them on their toes while their connections tightened the final screws for Saturday’s races at Oaklawn Park.

Thursday, April 09 2015

Oaklawn Barn Notes - Thursday, April 9 - Arkansas Derby updates

American Pharoah Settles Back in to Oaklawn

American Pharoah, a Zayat Stables homebred who is trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, is in ninth place with 60 points so he is assured of a spot in the Kentucky Derby if he performs as expected in Saturday’s $1 million Arkansas Derby (G1).

“He shipped well and has been doing great since he got there,” said Baffert by phone from his Southern California base. “We’re excited about the race and looking forward to it. We’re not thinking about the points. The main thing right now is to take one race at a time. Hopefully, he runs well and comes out of it well. Every time he runs we learn more and more about him.”